Featured Artist Elaine Hahn

Artist Elaine Hahn’s paintings capture the beauty, detail, and shimmering light of the coast. See more of her work by visiting her website.

 

 

I was raised in Missouri where I received my BA and MA in art from the University of Missouri. I also attended the Kansas City Art Institute. I moved to Virginia as after marrying a Marine Corp pilot, moving every three years. This meant setting up many makeshift studios.

 

 

One of the benefits of all this moving was the opportunity to experience many different parts of the country and the world. I was inspired to paint the variety of diverse landscapes, cities and people. I found that I was inspired most when living on the coast. I fell in love with coastal images—shells, fish, crabs, water, boats and other shore subjects.

 

 

During our third tour in Virginia, I was part of a group that started an artist co-op. We all taught downstairs and had a gallery on the main floor. I was interested in reduction printmaking at the time and chose that medium to teach. Unfortunately, I found that students needed to be able to draw before planning a print, so I shifted and taught drawing.

 

 

Soon after, the watercolor teacher moved and I was asked teach watercolors. I saw John Pike’s demo that year in Woodstock, New York, and he made painting watercolors seem so simple. I agreed to teach the course, and after a few workshops and much research, watercolor became my medium of choice and dominated my subject matter for the next twenty-five years.

 

 

I achieved Signature membership in the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society. I took many trips to the beach and loved taking photos. I particularly liked the early morning and late afternoon light, which enhanced the colors and created unique and interesting textures, reflections and shadows.

 

 

I work mainly from enlarged images, carefully planning the shapes, light and dark patterns and colors. I strive to blend the fine nuances of color, texture and shapes to create an image that draws the viewer into a pleasant experience.

 

 

After painting for so many years specializing in large studio-rendered watercolors, I felt I needed a change. I transitioned to oil painting as well as painting outside (plein air). My current efforts, both in the studio and “en plein air” have been very stimulating and rewarding.

 

 

Plein air events and teaching workshops have taken me to Florida, California, Easton, MD, and Colorado, as well as Italy. I achieved Signature status in the Oil Painters of America and several other oil painting organizations.

 

 

My recent efforts in still life painting are a continuation of painting directly from life and usually include my favorite shells or other sea life. As I continue to grow and develop my art, I find painting a real challenge as well as a great joy. My efforts in creating a series of miniature paintings have also been very challenging, but fun to do.

 

 

I now live on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida where I focus my efforts on developing and expanding my painting techniques, capturing images of the beautiful coastal and marine subjects in the area, and thanking God each day for my beautiful view.

 

Artist Elaine Hahn invites you to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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